[Sefelt103]

1400 Ohms is crazy! I saw the graph though... and I checked the calculator and it seems that the BL should be able to power the T1s just fine... Even at 1400 resistance, the T1s are way more efficient than the 880s and will at most need around 5 Volts, while the BL tops out around 10V...

If I had a T1 I'd use my Objective O2+ODAC, even though I had the high gain reduced from 6.5X to ??. I'm still a little sceptical about batteries with a flagship like the T1 but I wonder how much my Centrance HiFi m8 could do. I've no idea what voltage it outputs on high gain. It's all immaterial as I dislike angled drivers and prefer intimate soundstages so euro 750 new is not an option.
Just noticed someone said earlier 166mW at 600Ω which is ideal for these (DT 880) headphones

 

[Dionietzscheus]

The DT 880 is sort of neutral but I find if you listen to bright recordings then it's not 'neutral' enough, other more normal recordings seem to fare better. I find it gets less bright once you adjust after the initial shock. EQ/filters or single plies of toilet paper over the driver can help with the treble but I am still unable to determine if this increases distortion or not (I don't have any measurement equipment). The sound itself is 'boring' but if your music is interesting then it's high sound quality for those who don't want speaker like effects/3D soundstage. An obvious alternative is the Sennheiser HD580/600 which does not have the treble, but tends to be slightly more euphonic (pleasing distortion). The DT 880 is more analytical than these. Not for everyone by any means.

Thanks for the inputs. I think I understand what I am getting myself into. Also, Beyerdynamic cans are readily available, and fairly affordable in my country. (The 880 costs about $250.) However, the Sennheiser HD 600 - new/used - is rarer than hen's teeth (!). HD 650 is available on Amazon but priced outrageously - about $850. Crazy, I know. That said, I suspect I am not going to be thrilled by the 600/ 650 sound signature. My present headphones include the Meze 99 Classics, AT MSR7b, & Sony 1000-XM3. I had the Senn HD 598 in biege color, which I sold.

 

[Sefelt103]

That said, I suspect I am not going to be thrilled by the 600/ 650 sound signature.

I find I alternate between the DT 880 and my early HD580 and although in certain respects they are similar I still like both. I find the HD650 is a mirror of the DT 880. Extra bass v lean bass, subdued treble v boosted treble. Bass extension is better on the DT 880, midrange is more prominent on the HD650. Bright v dark. Unfortunate that they're so expensive/unavailable in your locale.

 

[nOoneNL]

Anyone seen this yet? Seems the DT 880 Black Edition is a different sounding headphone. I owned one of these and not a normal DT 880, seems I wasn’t getting the real DT 880 experience.

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/brands-a-i/dt880-black-se/

Very interesting! I just ordered a pair of Black SE 880's, hoping it would address some minor dissatisfactions I had with the "normal" Premiums (lack of warmth, build quality and looks) and seeing how the measurements are pretty close to the Amiron really gets my hopes up!

Will report back after some extensive testing, in combination with my humble rig (Meier Audio Corda Prehead 1 MKII SE and Atoll Dac 100 SE )

 

[Sefelt103]

It would appear that it's the earpads that make the difference. A FR comparison between the 600Ω DT 880 Edition is close to the Black SE with the grey velour earpads. Putting the black earpads on turns the DT 880 Black SE into something more like a DT 990/Amiron.

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/brands-a-i/dt880-edition-600ω/

Similar FR of course doesn't mean it will sound exactly like a DT 990 or Amiron home but should have similar tonal characteristics. What surprised me about the 600Ω Edition review was how 'warm' the headphone seemed in the low frequency area compared with the DT 1990. It must be the treble (Mount Beyer) peaks that make it not sound like a warm headphone.

 

[Tademeus]

Well, got the DT880 Black SE few weeks ago as Beyerdynamic currently have them on sale. And I love them! I'm listening to them through ARCAM rHead. They don't have the clarity of AKG K812, but have a nice full body. Same when listening to them through the A20 amp, but there my DT1990 surpass them on all levels (DT1990 is like DT880 on stereoids). But no surprise considering the price difference. They are keepers and for the price perfect entry to this hobby.

 

[Sefelt103]

They also look pretty.

 

[xanlamin]

Hey Tademeus, do you have the link to the sale for the DT880 Black SE?

 

[Tademeus]

https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/dt-880-black-special-edition-250-ohms.html

 

[McLambo]

Seems like they only sell the 250ohm version themselves? Is this correct? On amazon the 600 premium version is available most lf the times

 

[Tademeus]

Seems like they only sell the 250ohm version themselves? Is this correct? On amazon the 600 premium version is available most lf the times

I understand the DT880 Black SE was always 250 ohms only.

 

[Sefelt103]

I understand the DT880 Black SE was always 250 ohms only.

I thought so too until I saw this:


don't know where he got this from. I've searched online but not found anything.

 

[Tademeus]

I thought so too until I saw this:


don't know where he got this from. I've searched online but not found anything.

Interesting. I was after the 600 ohms version myself reading the praise here, but wanted black ones as they look much better than the default grey ones, and the only option to get 600 ohms in black colour is through Manufaktur option. Final price difference made the DT880 Black SE in current Summer sale offer a no-brainer...

 

[Sefelt103]

The manufaktur option is finished from what I've seen on Beyerdynamic's site. They seem to moving away from selling higher impedance headphones (their next flagship T1 is supposed to be 32Ω).

 

[McLambo]

The manufaktur option is finished from what I've seen on Beyerdynamic's site. They seem to moving away from selling higher impedance headphones (their next flagship T1 is supposed to be 32Ω).

Oops, I better order one then. Many owners and reviewers prefer the 600 ohm version over the lesser impedance versions